Upton Warren (112 Viewers)

[steve_zodiac]

Quite a few Lesser Redpolls and Siskins around the moors this afternoon. Two Kingfishers together on the sailing lake.
Apparently Waxwings were seen in the vicinity of St Michaels church from the sailing club car park but I had a good walk round there and all I could see were Starlings in the treetops.

 

[Gert Corfield]

Greetings Upton Pickers,

Today the forum passed 15,000 posts so a big Thank You to ALL contributers; I thought I would do a quick run down of the Top 10 posters (not 'alf).

10. Wheatearlp - 315 posts: resident pedant and late riser
9. UW82 (Des Jennings) - 417 posts: the guardian of Wednesdays
8. Woodwolf (Mark Peacock) - 420 posts: rival to Mike's late riser title and manager of the Flickr account
7. Midlandsbirder (Craig Reed) - 452 posts: the enthusiastic product of our "yuff" policy
6. Gertatron (Gert Corfield) - 626 posts: brings at bit of the Fatherland (and various home brews) to Upton
5. Forgetfulelephant (Rob Evans) - 743 posts: virtually resident on the reserve nowadays, putting in many hours volunteer wardening
4. Sy V (Simon Vickers) - 1,068 posts: our very own Michael Fish
3. Woodchat (David Walker) - 1,273 posts: seems to literally charm rare birds out of the sky
2. Upton-till-i-die (Phil Andrews) - 2,067 posts: stunningly handsome, debonair wit and charming racconteur
1. Upstarts 1979 (John Belsey) - 3,163 posts: all round good guy, devoting hours to the reserve' management

Sehr Guht Herr Andrews! Popped into the Moors today in between other duties and the work that's been done was very impressive indeed. :t:

 

[Phil Andrews]

I didn't have my bins so can't be 100%, but flew over my head with what appeared to be totally translucent primaries and secondaries. Unfortunately, by the time I got my bins out it had gone. So the one that got away and I will have to make sure I have my bins on when we are on work parties.:-C
B John
ps I think we will have to have a look out next time.:t:

Near adult Glaucous Gull between Lower Moor and Wyre Piddle mid afternoon ........

 

[Stone Snapper]

are the waxwings still at webbs?

 

[upstarts1979]

are the waxwings still at webbs?

Hi Vern
Jarad had 'waxwing' - which I assumed meant 1 this morning.
Alan G had 9 in front of Lifestyles mid morning.
B John

 

[Jason K]

Greetings Upton Pickers,

Today the forum passed 15,000 posts so a big Thank You to ALL contributers; I thought I would do a quick run down of the Top 10 posters (not 'alf).

2. Upton-till-i-die (Phil Andrews) - 2,067 posts: stunningly handsome, debonair wit and charming racconteur

Haha...modest to the last eh Phil? this made me chuckle!

 

[Phil Andrews]

Haha...modest to the last eh Phil? this made me chuckle!

Hiya Jase - often the truth is the funniest thing 8-P

 

[upstarts1979]

Tuesday's work party at the Moors

Tomorrow we will be working at the North Moors area. This area is the smallest of the three distinct sections of the reserve. But it has received more attention than anywhere else, I will be writing more on this subject at a later date. So for now I will mention tomorrow's work: This will be concentrated on the north section of the main reed bed. Here in 1990 a new pool was dug out: I have attached my notes written on this subject below
Dr Rowe’s Pool
The north end of the main pool was extended in 1990 when Dr Rowe stumped up the money to employ a contractor to carry out the work. This area was previously just rank vegetation, featureless and almost birdless.
A deep, oval ditch was dug around the periphery; this encircled the central area forming a moat around an ‘island’. In time the island became overgrown with willows as did the edge of the new pool, this shaded the reeds and inhibited its growth. To counteract this and maximise the area with ‘quality’ reeds, we decided to coppice the willows on a rotational basis. Most if not all the island willows will be treated and discouraged from growing. The mainland willows will be coppiced every two years or so, however they should not be allowed to ‘encircle’ the island. Therefore, it would be preferable to allow the coppiced trees to grow only on the north west side (this will minimise the sunlight lost during the spring and summer), those elsewhere on the periphery should be treated and discouraged from growing. The main aim of the management should be to create a viable area of reeds and maintain its ‘openness’ to provide nesting sites for reed warblers and water rail and hopefully attract wintering bitterns. The island once cleared of trees would support breeding waterfowl and passerines.
During 2011, two willow viewing screens were constructed in the north east and north west corners of the pool. These in association with the nearby dead hedging approach path, will allow an intimate interaction with the area. Monitoring of the area will give us information on how the habitat develops and what species are utilising it. After care ( possibly an annual basis)could include, fine tweaking of the ‘moat banks’ by creating ‘open’ muddy, shallow pools.
I have attached 3 photos of the area, as viewed from the west side by the bench.
1. In 1988
2. Just after completion
3. as Nov 2011 note how the island has overgrown with willows.
Tomorrow we will remove the trees from the island and use the brash to create more 'dead hedging'
B John

 

[forgetfulelephant]

Tomorrow we will working at the North Moors area. This area is the smallest of the three distinct sections of the reserve. But it has received more attention than anywhere else, I will be writing more on this subject at a later date. So for now I will mention tomorrow's work: This will be concentrated on the north section of the main reed bed. Here in 1990 a new pool was dug out: I have attached my notes written on this subject below
Dr Rowe’s Pool
The north end of the main pool was extended in 1990 when Dr Rowe stumped up the money to employ a contractor to carry out the work. This area was previously just rank vegetation, featureless and almost birdless.
A deep, oval ditch was dug around the periphery; this encircled the central area forming a moat around an ‘island’. In time the island became overgrown with willows as did the edge of the new pool, this shaded the reeds and inhibited its growth. To counteract this and maximise the area with ‘quality’ reeds, we decided to coppice the willows on a rotational basis. Most if not all the island willows will be treated and discouraged from growing. The mainland willows will be coppiced every two years or so, however they should not be allowed to ‘encircle’ the island. Therefore, it would be preferable to allow the coppiced trees to grow only on the north west side (this will minimise the sunlight lost during the spring and summer), those elsewhere on the periphery should be treated and discouraged from growing. The main aim of the management should be to create a viable area of reeds and maintain its ‘openness’ to provide nesting sites for reed warblers and water rail and hopefully attract wintering bitterns. The island once cleared of trees would support breeding waterfowl and passerines.
During 2011, two willow viewing screens were constructed in the north east and north west corners of the pool. These in association with the nearby dead hedging approach path, will allow an intimate interaction with the area. Monitoring of the area will give us information on how the habitat develops and what species are utilising it. After care ( possibly an annual basis)could include, fine tweaking of the ‘moat banks’ by creating ‘open’ muddy, shallow pools.
I have attached 3 photos of the area, as viewed from the west side by the bench.
1. In 1988
2. Just after completion
3. as Nov 2011 note how the island has overgrown with willows.
Tomorrow we will remove the trees from the island and use the brash to create more 'dead hedging'
B John

John thanks for these 'passage of time' shots. I find them really interesting & a great resource for those of us, like me, that have only known the reserve for a few years. :t:
See photos don't have to be 'art' to have a great deal of validity!

Rob

 

[Gert Corfield]

I have attached 3 photos of the area, as viewed from the west side by the bench.
1. In 1988
2. Just after completion
3. as Nov 2011 note how the island has overgrown with willows.
Tomorrow we will remove the trees from the island and use the brash to create more 'dead hedging'
B John[/QUOTE]

John - that's really informative. Your picture no 2 looks just like the area dug out on a farm nearby where I'm helping out. Rush and small willow shoots have taken hold after just 18 months! Great stuff :t:

 

[woodwolf]

Growth bars:
"A high proportion (over half in
north Cheshire) of all juvenile Sedge, Reed and
Grasshopper Warblers have shown growth bars
on their tail and wing feathers – these
are lines of feather weakness caused by periods
of poor food supply in the nest – and in some
cases the tails have already broken. This year
they are also, unusually, occurring in many
other species in which growth bars are not
often seen, such as Dunnock, Whitethroat,
Blackcap and Chaffinch. This feather weakness
will surely compromise survival."

Any of the more experienced birders noticed this feature on Upton Birds this year ?
I picked it up from the BTO website. There is gloomy news about breeding success of Reed/Sedge and Cetti's

Any idea of breeding success of Reed and Sedge this year compared to previous years ?

...all the more reason to preserve and create good scrub and wetland habitat for some bounce back next year hopefully

 

[John Layj]

Article in The Telegraph related to the post above.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/9716585/Birds-suffer-worst-ever-year-for-breeding-after-poor-weather.html

 

[AlanSS]

Just to let any of you who have disabled access through the West track gate know that the lock has been changed. The old one gave up the ghost & despite repeated requests for it to open it refused point blank.

The no. remains the same & there is still a button to push on the base but it is a different style of lock. The no.s show on both sides but there is a mark on one side to line them up. Also they now read from top to bottom instead of side to side as in the old one.

Hope this is clear!

Rob

Very clear thanks Rob. We used it today without problem.
Many Thanks:t:

 

[Gavo]

Growth bars:
"A high proportion (over half in
north Cheshire) of all juvenile Sedge, Reed and
Grasshopper Warblers have shown growth bars
on their tail and wing feathers – these
are lines of feather weakness caused by periods
of poor food supply in the nest – and in some
cases the tails have already broken. This year
they are also, unusually, occurring in many
other species in which growth bars are not
often seen, such as Dunnock, Whitethroat,
Blackcap and Chaffinch. This feather weakness
will surely compromise survival."

Any of the more experienced birders noticed this feature on Upton Birds this year ?
I picked it up from the BTO website. There is gloomy news about breeding success of Reed/Sedge and Cetti's

Any idea of breeding success of Reed and Sedge this year compared to previous years ?

...all the more reason to preserve and create good scrub and wetland habitat for some bounce back next year hopefully

I received my copy of BTO news today and theres an article in there on the subject, very interesting I was'nt aware of this, will be interesting to know if anyone has noticed it at Upton like you mentioned Mark.

 

[timmyjones]

Growth bars:
"A high proportion (over half in
north Cheshire) of all juvenile Sedge, Reed and
Grasshopper Warblers have shown growth bars
on their tail and wing feathers – these
are lines of feather weakness caused by periods
of poor food supply in the nest – and in some
cases the tails have already broken. This year
they are also, unusually, occurring in many
other species in which growth bars are not
often seen, such as Dunnock, Whitethroat,
Blackcap and Chaffinch. This feather weakness
will surely compromise survival."

Any of the more experienced birders noticed this feature on Upton Birds this year ?
I picked it up from the BTO website. There is gloomy news about breeding success of Reed/Sedge and Cetti's

Any idea of breeding success of Reed and Sedge this year compared to previous years ?

...all the more reason to preserve and create good scrub and wetland habitat for some bounce back next year hopefully

Generally only visible in the hand, was much ringing done on site over the summer and autumn? Sy?

 

[upstarts1979]

I have attached 3 photos of the area, as viewed from the west side by the bench.
1. In 1988
2. Just after completion
3. as Nov 2011 note how the island has overgrown with willows.
Tomorrow we will remove the trees from the island and use the brash to create more 'dead hedging'
B John

John - that's really informative. Your picture no 2 looks just like the area dug out on a farm nearby where I'm helping out. Rush and small willow shoots have taken hold after just 18 months! Great stuff :t:[/QUOTE]

Hi Gert
We can always sell you some Phragy mate8-P
John Higgo took a few clumps of Phragmites from the north moors many years ago and it formed the basis of what is now the main reed bed at Belvide.
If you need some phragy, I recommend you plant it rhizome an all - we've got plenty spare at the Flashes:t:

 

[upstarts1979]

Growth bars:
"A high proportion (over half in
north Cheshire) of all juvenile Sedge, Reed and
Grasshopper Warblers have shown growth bars
on their tail and wing feathers – these
are lines of feather weakness caused by periods
of poor food supply in the nest – and in some
cases the tails have already broken. This year
they are also, unusually, occurring in many
other species in which growth bars are not
often seen, such as Dunnock, Whitethroat,
Blackcap and Chaffinch. This feather weakness
will surely compromise survival."

Any of the more experienced birders noticed this feature on Upton Birds this year ?
I picked it up from the BTO website. There is gloomy news about breeding success of Reed/Sedge and Cetti's

Any idea of breeding success of Reed and Sedge this year compared to previous years ?

...all the more reason to preserve and create good scrub and wetland habitat for some bounce back next year hopefully

No, but I did notice it in a couple of trees we pollarded recently8-P same thing I suppose.:t:
Joking apart a good article though mate, but it would be difficult to see in the field , I would have thought B John.

 

[upstarts1979]

Generally only visible in the hand, was much ringing done on site over the summer and autumn? Sy?

Hi Tim
None at all, Ferg has found a new place. It would be good to get some ringing done in the spring and autumn. What does anyone else think:t:John

 

[woodwolf]

No, but I did notice it in a couple of trees we pollarded recently8-P same thing I suppose.:t:
Joking apart a good article though mate, but it would be difficult to see in the field , I would have thought B John.

Fair enough, I haven't read the full article in the BTO mag yet, it came today, saving that for a bit of bedtime reading later, thought it merited a mention ..cheers :t:

 

[upstarts1979]

Growth bars:
"A high proportion (over half in
north Cheshire) of all juvenile Sedge, Reed and
Grasshopper Warblers have shown growth bars
on their tail and wing feathers – these
are lines of feather weakness caused by periods
of poor food supply in the nest – and in some
cases the tails have already broken. This year
they are also, unusually, occurring in many
other species in which growth bars are not
often seen, such as Dunnock, Whitethroat,
Blackcap and Chaffinch. This feather weakness
will surely compromise survival."

Any of the more experienced birders noticed this feature on Upton Birds this year ?
I picked it up from the BTO website. There is gloomy news about breeding success of Reed/Sedge and Cetti's

Any idea of breeding success of Reed and Sedge this year compared to previous years ?

...all the more reason to preserve and create good scrub and wetland habitat for some bounce back next year hopefully

What are they saying about is the gloomy news.

The reed warblers seemed to be doing better than the previous year with more pairs. There seemed to be a lot of young around from the first broods. But then the floods came and the second broods would have been washed out. However there seemed to be a lot of singing birds and territories were re-occupied afterwards and young were seen from these later broods.
However sedge warblers arrived late and in much smaller numbers than normal. Territories occupied in 2011 were for the most part devoid of birds or occupied by reed warblers.
The main reason I think for the dearth of sedge warblers, was the very poor weather across Europe during their peak migration period. There is no doubt that many of our birds had perished or not migrated fully. This makes it even more devastating as the typical life span is 2 years, which means they only get 2 chances of breeding. Strangely though, this year more birds appeared after the flooding and several broods of young were seen scattered all over the reserve.
I will post the actual totals of pairs asap.
B John